Booth Broadcast July 2019

Tempus fugit as the Roman’s used to say. Cruising into the second half of the year already. I don’t know about you but I didn’t escape the ‘cold’ virus this year. It’s not nice. I valiantly stayed on my feet and kept working, generously giving it away to others. However, I need to be completely free of it by end of next week when I head off to Nelson for the Leadership course. My administrator Jill has now got it (not my fault – just sayin) and she needs the same healing prayers.

The last couple of months have been very busy. The trip to the South Island went very well with some excellent contacts made and interest in coming to the Leadership course this year or next. I was away just under two weeks and returned for five days before Yvonne Hannah and I flew back down for a weeks holiday to see Rachel, Jonny and Caleb. It was a good time with them. We got to see Rachel in the Sister Act production. It was very good indeed. Mostly Rachel was singing off stage. She got on stage for the last number but as she was dressed as a Nun, I couldn’t work out which she was. Yvonne Hannah and I got to go across the mountains, through the snow to Greymouth. It’s a malicous rumour that I got moved on by a policeman. Yvonne’s dad was a pharmacist in Greymouth for a couple of years when Yvonne was 8ish and so it was good to go and see where she lived.

Getting people to sign up for the Leadership course this year has been tough. As usual we’ve had a few pull out. Three from Australia who’d been signed up for several month pulled out as did a woman from USA. That made things interesting. However, the Lord has brought others and we will have an interesting group of participants. I’m still waiting on the Director of Baptist Youth ministries to let me know if he and a couple of youth leaders are coming!

The graduate leadership course invites have gone out. However, so far five have replied saying they can’t come for very valid reasons. I continue to wait and pray.

The ITA Board have seen fit to elect me as their Vice-Chairman. The chairman and I have worked in these roles together on the ITA Council. I have also accepted the role of curriculum review coordinator. I will lead a team to review and rewrite parts of the Leadership Matters course. It is a very important work ( some might say a ‘hospital pass’ let the reader understand!. ITA is refining the course as they look to the future and the needs of mission leaders. Doing this will also help me with the same consideration for the NZ Caleb Course.

I have preached several times in different Presbyterian churches, each one going well.

Coming up

This Sunday I preach at another Presbyterian church in South Auckland. The Training team for the Leadership course all arrive in Nelson on the 21st and 22nd of July. We have a prep day before the course starts on Tuesday 23rd. We definitely need your prayers. One of the trainers may be delayed due to his wife’s ongoing fight with cancer. Please pray for them both. Please pray for a successful Leadership course. We are still waiting to confirm the venue for the graduation dinner and graduation. It seems like we’ve been under heavy spiritual attack so I am expecting a great course.

We have a Bridge Builders course coming up in mid August at Connect Baptist Church.

On the home front

The family are doing pretty well currently. Tim has finished the first term of his course and his marks are excellent. Sakura’s pregnancy is going well with the due date around October 6. I leave for Nepal on Oct 7 or 8 so it’s going to be close.

With Hannah’s random calling out especially at night we have to sound proof part of her room. This project begins next week and I will be helping the builder – no pressure. We need a gib stopper – do you know one near us? I’ll be doing the painting after the Leadership course.

Every blessing

Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny and Caleb, Jeremy & Sakura and bump, Tim & Aimee & Hannah